car rental, CDW and insurance

[vblanche]

Hi,

I'm about to rent a car for 1 week in spain. I'd like to ask you guys - when renting a car - what kind of cover do you take? I always end up taking the extra cover when I'm taking the car because I never know if it's worth as the default cover is low:

Cover for 3rd party, collision damage waiver, theft protection with excess of £651.71

£651 excess is scary...

any advice?

many thanks
vincent

[ade and liz flint]

£651 excess is scary...

any advice?

Advice? Don't have an accident

CDW is ESSENTIAL in most European countries, so yes, pay it to save you from any potentially hugely expensive legal issues should you be in an accident.

Check the car thoroughly for damage on collection, and get any un-noted damage agreed and put on the forms on collection before you put the key in the ignition as these rob-dog rental companies will screw you if they can get away with it.

[vblanche]

this Europcar car can be covered with zero £ excess for an extra £100...it's always these *little* extra they suggested you when you pick up the car...

[ade and liz flint]

this Europcar car can be covered with zero £ excess for an extra £100...it's always these *little* extra they suggested you when you pick up the car...

Think about it the same way you would about a Ryanair flight. You get the basics, but everything else is an option...but some is pretty essential. Such as access to a toilet on a plane They do this to keep their headline costs low to attract custom, then hit you with the little extras.

Have you checked to see if your employer has any special arrangements with hire car companies which may result in any staff-related benefits? Sometimes helps get the daily rental rate a bit lower. Youu HR dept (or intranet) may give info on this.

[vblanche]

Have you checked to see if your employer has any special arrangements with hire car companies which may result in any staff-related benefits? Sometimes helps get the daily rental rate a bit lower. Youu HR dept (or intranet) may give info on this.

good idea...but we are a tiny company. anyway, worth asking...

can my car insurance cover me for rental? (maybe stupid question)

thanks
vincent

[ade and liz flint]

good idea...but we are a tiny company. anyway, worth asking...

can my car insurance cover me for rental? (maybe stupid question)

Maybe not, then, but worth a look-see. Usually occurs where a company (or group of companies) heavily uses rental cars - it was a benefit I once had as I was given the cars at the 'trade' rate, and regular upgrades FOC. Still have to pay own insurance etc.

No - your personal car insurance will not cover a rented vehicle.

[B10BRW]

this Europcar car can be covered with zero £ excess for an extra £100...it's always these *little* extra they suggested you when you pick up the car...

I always use Holiday Autos.

http://www.holidayautos.co.uk/?aff=x161 ... =optional2

Have used them for many years without a problem.
Standard Damage Excess Waiver £ 20-93 per week
Total Damage Excess Waiver £33.25 per week.
They use Europcar a lot.

Don't know where you are going to in Spain, but they are giving a discount of 15% for vehicles booked in Malaga

HTH

[vblanche]

malaga

thanks for the tip, just checked, looks good, will use them, thanks again.

this is confusing:

Vehicle excess

This car is subject to an insurance excess of under 100 EUR. On the booking page you can purchase Damage Excess Waiver for £2.99 a day to cover the excess, exclusions apply.

is the excess 100euros and for £2.99 per day, no excess?

[B10BRW]

this is confusing:

Vehicle excess

This car is subject to an insurance excess of under 100 EUR. On the booking page you can purchase Damage Excess Waiver for £2.99 a day to cover the excess, exclusions apply.

is the excess 100euros and for £2.99 per day, no excess?

To be honest, don't know
The excess does seem very low, normally 600 to 900 euros.
Well worth paying the excess waiver.
Once you pay the relevant waiver, you should not be liable for any excess.
If you are unfortunate enough to have a prang, you pay the excess to the hire company, then claim it back from Holiday Autos.